forceps
[ fawr-suh ps, -seps ]
/ ˈfɔr səps, -sɛps /
noun, plural for·ceps, for·ci·pes [fawr-suh-peez] /ˈfɔr səˌpiz/.
an instrument, as pincers or tongs, for seizing and holding objects, as in surgical operations.
Anatomy, Zoology.
a part or feature resembling a forceps, especially a pair of appendages at the posterior of certain insects.
Origin of forceps
1625–35; < Latin: pair of tongs, pincers, said to be a contraction of
*formiceps, equivalent to
form(us) warm +
-i-
-i- +
-ceps -taker, derivative of
capere to take (cf.
prince), i.e., that which takes hot things; compare, however,
forpex, forfex tongs, shears, from which
forceps may have been formed by folk etymology
OTHER WORDS FROM forceps
for·ceps·like, adjective for·cip·i·al [fawr-sip-ee-uh l] /fɔrˈsɪp i əl/, adjectiveWords nearby forceps
forced sale,
forced vital capacity,
forced-draft,
forceful,
forcemeat,
forceps,
forceps delivery,
forcer,
forces,
forcible,
forcing bid
Example sentences from the Web for forceps
British Dictionary definitions for forceps
forceps
/ (ˈfɔːsɪps) /
noun plural -ceps or -cipes (-sɪˌpiːz)
- a surgical instrument in the form of a pair of pincers, used esp in the delivery of babies
- (as modifier)a forceps baby
any pincer-like instrument
any part or structure of an organism shaped like a forceps
Derived forms of forceps
forceps-like, adjectiveWord Origin for forceps
C17: from Latin, from
formus hot +
capere to seize
Medical definitions for forceps
forceps
[ fôr′səps, -sĕps ]
n. pl. forceps
An instrument resembling a pair of pincers, used for grasping, manipulating, or extracting, especially in surgery.
Either of two bands of white fibers composing the radiation of the corpus callosum to the cerebrum.